Considerations for URL Restructuring.cloud/restructuring/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>restructuring in SEO Strategy
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Recently, I joined a company that was in the process of completing a site migration for a relatively small website consisting of less than 100 pages. During this migration, a notable issue brought to my attention was the inconsistent URL structure. Some URLs were flat (e.g., brand.com/service) while others were hierarchical (e.g., brand.com/category/service).
One question arises: Does it make sense from an SEO standpoint to change the URLs to a hierarchical structure? From my current perspective, such a change may not be entirely necessary. The process of making this change could be quite troublesome, involving the creation of redirects and the necessity to update internal links to reflect the new URLs. Despite this, the company argued that rewriting the URLs to align with the site hierarchy would promote consistency, establish clear sections, and enhance the website’s overall structure.
Considering SEO implications, I believe that as long as the URLs are discoverable by search engines like Google, the specific structure may not have a significant impact on rankings. Given that the site is only a month old, do the benefits of updating the URL structure truly outweigh the effort required in implementing this change?
2 responses to “Should You Change URLs?”
Changing URLs can have both positive and negative impacts on SEO. Here are a few factors to consider in making your decision:
Consistency and structure: Having a consistent and structured URL hierarchy can make it easier for users and search engines to navigate and understand your website. This can potentially improve SEO by creating clear paths to different sections of your site and helping search engines understand the relevance and context of your pages.
Redirects and internal links: Changing URLs will require setting up redirects from old URLs to new ones to avoid broken links and lost traffic. Additionally, internal links within your site will need to be updated to point to the new URLs. This can be time-consuming and may lead to temporary fluctuations in rankings as search engines adjust to the changes.
Stability and flexibility: Flat URLs, as you mentioned, can be more stable and adaptable to changes in site structure. However, a hierarchical URL structure can create a logical and organized framework for your site, making it easier for users and search engines to navigate.
Ultimately, the decision on whether to change URLs should be based on a careful evaluation of the potential benefits and drawbacks for your specific site. If the current URLs are not hindering your site’s performance and are being well-indexed by search engines, it may be best to focus on other SEO efforts instead. However, if a hierarchical URL structure aligns with your site’s content and organization, and you have a plan in place to manage redirects and internal links effectively, it may be worth considering the change for long-term seo benefits.
This is a thought-provoking discussion on URL structuring in the context of SEO! While the immediate concerns surrounding redirects and updating internal links are valid, it’s also worth considering the long-term benefits of a consistent URL structure.
Hierarchical URLs can enhance user experience by allowing visitors to understand their navigation path better, which could lead to lower bounce rates and increased time on site—two factors that can indirectly influence SEO performance. Additionally, clear URL structures tend to be more user-friendly and can improve click-through rates from search engine results pages, as users can quickly deduce the content of the page just from the URL itself.
Moreover, if the site is still new, this might be an opportune time to implement the changes before the site builds up more content and authority. However, if the site has already established some recognition and rankings, maintaining the current URLs with appropriate 301 redirects could serve to retain existing traffic while allowing the company to update as necessary without losing valuable backlinks.
Ultimately, it’s a balancing act between immediate user experience and long-term SEO strategy. It could be beneficial to conduct a UAT (User Acceptance Testing) session to gauge how actual users interact with both the current and proposed URL structures. This data can be instrumental in making a well-rounded decision. Would love to hear more about how others have approached this challenge!